My cat, easily 16-18 years old, moved out a few years back. She escaped by dashing through the front door as we were using it and refused to be recaptured. She never left our yard, so I left her alone. When we'd go for walks, she'd follow along at a distance.
Then a neighbor complained. Her complaint was that my cat's fleas were infesting her yard, and biting her while working in it.
I don't suppose it was mosquitoes or sand fleas or chiggers or no-see-ums. Nope, my cat's fleas migrated to the neighbor's lawn.
I protested that my cat never left the yard, how could she be bothering anyone.
To which my neighbor responded by reminding me, none too gently, that our county leash laws apply to cats as well as dogs.
So I had to curtail my cat's outdoor life once again.
Now we live next to a major 4 lane highway, so I wouldn't dream of letting her hang around outside.
At least, it's a nice big two story house, with plenty of room to roam!